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8 of The Best Hybrid Cars To Buy

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With the announcement from the Government that the sale of new solely petrol or diesel cars will be banned from 2040 and that each new home built in the UK could be fitted with an electric vehicle charge point, the green car scene is moving fast – and it’s time to keep up.

However, if you’re not ready to go 100% electric and prefer the idea of a twin power engine that cuts fuel costs and preserves energy, a hybrid model is a great option for you.

In fact, the government's target is to reduce the UK's greenhouse gas emissions by at least 80% of the 1990 levels by 2050, and it sees a role for hybrid technology in its new strategy. With plans to boost uptake for alternative car technology, and buyers ready to embrace the financial and environmental advantages of hybrid cars, we've put together a list of the best hybrid cars available on the market.

Here are our top 8 hybrids to buy right now.

Toyota Prius

BMW i3

VW Golf GTE

Hyundai Ioniq

Audi A3 e-Tron

Lexus LC 500H

Toyota Yaris Hybrid

BMW i8

Toyota Prius

One of the first mass produced hybrid cars in the world, the Prius, is still setting the benchmark for cars of the future. With eagle eyed headlights that turns heads and a spacious interior for a longer ride, the latest Toyota Prius Hybrid continues to push boundaries.

Its 1.8 litre petrol engine and electric motor together produce 168bhp and promises the same lost running costs and emissions as before.

This fourth generation Prius is a technological triumph too. From entry level upwards, all models feature Toyota's Safety Sense package, which includes a road sign recognition system and lane departure warning, plus sensors that detect other cars and pedestrians and automatically apply the brakes if they calculate that an impact is imminent.

BMW i3

Its memorable design is one you’ve probably seen whizzing about in the city - a single glance tells you that this is no ordinary electric vehicle.

You can personalise your BMW i3 just as you like it - unique is its appeal - thanks to the range of colour schemes and interior finishes available! Climbing in is simple thanks to the eye-catching coach doors, plus rear seats fold down to create practical additional load space.

The i3’s battery conveniently needs to be recharged every two to three days, and has a range of up to 100 miles. Thanks to the BMW i navigation system and battery charge status it's easy to stay up-to-date on the maximum distance the vehicle is capable of travelling as well as the location of any nearby charging stations to guarantee a smooth journey.

VOLKSWAGEN Golf GTE

Next stop, Volkswagen’s new hybrid performance model – the VW Golf GTE - with four drive modes, a 4-litre petrol engine and an electric motor assist to improve performance and maintain fuel economy.

Remember, you can always press the GTE button for full power oomph! In GTE mode, 0-62mph takes just 7.6 seconds, or switch to ‘battery charge’ mode and the petrol engine starts to charge up on the move to switch to pure electric mode without plugging in.

Hyundai Ioniq

With enough electric range to cover the average commute and a conventional petrol engine to take over on long hauls, the plug-in Hyundai Ioniq hybrid combines the best of both worlds, with a competitive price tag to boot.

You’ll enjoy a comfortable ride with plenty of leg room for passengers, adaptive cruise control, a parking camera, climate control and lane keep assist. Opt for the premium package and you’ll get an 8inch touch screen display, Android Auto and Apple CarPlay functionality, which means apps like Spotify and Google Maps can be accessed on the move!

All Ioniq hybrids are powered by a 1.6-litre petrol engine and an electric motor that helps them return around 65mpg. The electric motor can power the Ioniq by itself at slow speeds so you can cruise around town almost silently without using any fuel.

Audi A3 e-Tron

If you love the familiar design and features of Audi, the award-winning Audi A3 e-tron Sportback combines both the performance and sophisticated looks of an Audi, with the efficiency of electric motoring.

Audi’s first plug-in hybrid offers economic everyday driving with a world of style and comfort. The model combines a 1.4 TFSI petrol engine with an electric motor to produce 150PS, giving the e-tron a range of 536 miles with the combined electric and petrol engine, with only 37g/km of CO2 emissions.

Technology is also premium, with everything included, from the latest Electronic Stabilisation Control (ESC) and Electronic Differential Lock (EDL) to the Active Bonnet technology to help you to avoid accidents.

Read more about what the Audi A3 e-tron has to offer for hybrid drivers.

Lexus LC 500H

Lexus is undergoing a brand renovation, to which the flagship Lexus LC 500H hybrid is a credit. With unique looks inside and out, this luxury sports coupe combines innovative tech with an opulent design.

The LC 500h is a V6 3.5 litre engine hybrid, with petrol-electric technology - plus the addition of a four-speed automatic gearbox mounted on the back of the twin-motor hybrid system, meaning it’s certainly more powerful than the average hybrid.

As soon as the LC was revealed to the world, it was awarded the prestigious EyesOn Design Award for best production car and best designed interior.

Toyota Yaris Hybrid

Popular since its launch in 1999, Toyota is now evolving the driving experience with hybrid power. This innovative Toyota Yaris Hybrid can run on petrol power, battery power, or a combination of the two.

This hybrid five-door hybrid hatchback is incredibly technologically advanced, value for money, and environmentally best in class. It meets Euro 6 emissions standards and is able to achieve 85.6mpg, emitting just 75g/km CO2 in the process.

BMW i8

Plug-in hybrid technology meets striking sports design in the new BMW i8, with the performance to match.

Low drag and lightweight, the i8 remains economical, capable of travelling for up to 23 miles using electric power alone. Innovative in design, made from materials including aluminium and carbon fibre, the sporty yet efficient i8 sees an agile electric motor fitted alongside a twin power turbo-charged three cylinder petrol engine capable of 231bhp and reaching 60mph in less than 4.4 seconds.

It’s futuristic display technology projects important information directly onto the windscreen, including the vehicle's speed and any relevant traffic signs, to maximise driver safety at all times.

To summarise; mix together the latest tech, crowd-pleasing looks and you’ve got the future of super cars.

The UK is one of the fastest-growing markets for low-emission vehicles - it's time to re-think your drive and embrace the benefits of hybrid car technology.

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